SPROUT Film Festival

We invite you to experience film and video related to the field of developmental disabilities. People with developmental disabilities as subjects and performers remain marginalized in the media. The Sprout Film Festival aims to raise their profile by showcasing works of all genres featuring this population.

By presenting films of artistry and intellect, the festival hopes to reinforce accurate portrayals of people with developmental disabilities and expose the general public to important issues facing this population. The goal is an enjoyable and enlightening experience that will help breakdown stereotypes, promoting a greater acceptance of differences and awareness of similarities.

HISTORY

The Sprout Film Festival was founded in 2003 and is programmed and supported by Sprout, a NYC-based non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing innovative programming to people with developmental disabilities. Sprout has been making videos related to the field of developmental disabilities since 1995 and has witnessed the myriad benefits these videos have for this population and the general public. In 2006 the Sprout Touring Film Festival was founded, enabling agencies throughout the US and Canada to design their own film festival. Sproutflix, a site offering films from our festival to be purchased was created in 2009.

Evening List of Films

How Do I Feel About That?

Seth Ehrlich, a person with developmental disabilities gives commentary on a community’s effort to deny a group home from opening. All facts and quotes used in the movie are true and based on a community meeting that took place in 1999 in Nassau County, New York.

Distinctively

Ella and Eavan, both age 6, are identical twins. They were born only three minutes apart, yet are separated by a large distinction: Ella has Down Syndrome while Eavan does not. Their parents strive to maximize their children's potential.

Flying Anne

A film about Tourettes. Dutch w/English captions.

Bagpipes and bullies

E.J. Nicolls loves to talk about the books he writes, his love of animals, and lighthouses. The other kids in his sixth-grade class do not. As a 12-year-old with Asperger's syndrome, E.J. has difficulty connecting with his peers, which often leads to bullying.

Bulletproof

Bulletproof is the story of Benny Jackson and his quest to save his family business Bulletproof Jackson’s Saloon, which is in Jeopardy of being turned into a casino.

My Little Brother from the Moon

A young girl tries to understand why her little brother, who has autism, is not like other children and gives her version of the facts.

3:15 to Brunswick

Community Involvement

The Tower is a hub for culture, connections, and artistic experiences. It is “Bend’s Living Room.” Hundreds of nonprofit and community organizations use our stage each year. And the next generation of theatre-goers enjoy LessonPLAN programs that engage their minds and hearts.